High speed winding machine

ABSTRACT

High speed winding mechanism incorporating yarn engaging means operable to engage automatically the yarn to be wound on the mechanism, and including structure for delivering the yarn to the yarn engaging means from a locus remote from the winding mechanism. Control means are also included for regulating the movement of the yarn onto the winding zone of the winding mechanism after seizure of the yarn by the yarn engaging means. The mechanism may also include further control means for forming a transfer tail on the package of yarn to be wound.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Richard B. Mc Dermott;

Hans H. Richter, Warwick, R.I. 816,514

Apr. 16, 1969 Feb. 2, 1971 Leesona Corporation Warwick, RI.

a corporation of Massachusetts [21 App]. No. [22] Filed I [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] HIGH SPEED WINDING MACHINE 12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 242/18 [51] Int. Cl B65h 54/02 [50] Field of Search 242/18, 18(PW), 19,47

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,481,031 9/1949 McDermott 242/18(PW) 2,769,299 11/1956 Keith ..242/l 8(PW)UX 2,785,867 3/1957 Gallagher 242/18 2,870,971 1/1959 Keith 242/18(PW) 2,998,202 8/1961 Keith et a1. 242/18(PW) 3,033,479 5/1962 Genovese 242/18X 3,097,804 7/1963 Jackson ...242/l 8(PW )UX 3,385,532 5/1968 Sparling 242/18(PW) 3,428,266 2/1969 Emery 242/1 8( PW) Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Attorneys-Albert P. Davis and Burnett W. Norton ABSTRACT: High speed winding mechanism incorporating yarn engaging means operable to engage automatically the yarn to be wound on the mechanism, and including structure for delivering the yarn to the yarn engaging means from a locus remote from the winding mechanism. Control means are also included for regulating the movement of the yarn onto the winding zone of the winding mechanism after seizure of the yarn by the yarn engaging means. The mechanism may also include further control means for forming a transfer tail on the package of yarn to be wound.

PATENTEU FEB 2 ISYI SHEET 1' OF G INVENTORS RICHARD B. MC DERMOTT BY HANS H. RlCHTER L 7 ATTORNEYS v PATENTED FEB 2l97| 3.559.903

SHEET 2 BF 4 6 INVIL'N'IURS F IG. 8 RICHARD 8. MC DERMOTT g HANS H. RICHTER My 7? 0m ATTOR YS PATENTEU FEB 2197! SHEET 3 [IF 4 INVENTORS RICHARD 8. MC DERMOT1 BY HANS H. RICHTER M 0 pm ATTORNEYS l44 i l PATENIED ,FEB 2 I97! saw u 0F 4 INVENTORS RICHARD 8. MC DERMOTT BY HANS H.

[36 FIG. 7

W W AM ATTORNEYS HIGH SPEED WINDING MACHINE FIELD Ol- THE INVENTION This invention relates. in general. to high speed winding machines and. in particular. to an automatic threading system or arrangement for such machines.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART It is becoming increasingly desirable in the textile field to operate strand winding or takeup machines at rates of speed believed impossible of achievement a few years ago and, for certain purposes. extremely elevated speeds can be virtually essential. As one example. continuous extrusion spinning machines for forming synthetic continuous filamentary yarns by extruding the polymer melt through a spinneret into a coagulating medium and then stretching or drawing the still soft filament to the specified degree by passage around differentially rotating Godet wheels, are now capable of operation at linear speeds of 4000-6000 yds./min. Even higher speeds may be sought in the future. Such an extrusion system, of course. demands yarn collection equipment of equal or higher capacity if inefficient performance is to be avoided.

One of the more difficult problems in designing high speed takeup machines is an effective reliable technique for threading up. I e engaging the strand on the collection package to initiate winding. The skilled worker in this art will already be aware that the techniques traditionally utilized for this purpose are precluded by the peculiar demands which the circumstances here envisioned impose. Thus, it is simply not possible to attach the end of the filament to the stationary package and gradually build up its rotational speed since the starting up procedure for the extrusion system is quite complex and a considerable preliminary period is necessary before the system is perfomiing at the precise conditions required for producing yarn of a quality suitable for collection. Consequently. the yarn must be threaded while the collection system is in motion at substantially its full normal operating speed.

Neither can the operator engage the yarn on the package core by throwing a wrap or coil of the yarn around the rotating core to begin winding of the filamentary yarn. First, the operator cannot dispose of an advancing yarn at the sufficient rate to physically accomplish this maneuver and. second. continuous filamentary yarn moving at the speeds in question is ex tremely hazardous and manual threading would easily risk the loss of a finger or even a limb.

In US. Pat. No. 2,998,202 to Keith et al.. issued Aug. 29, 1961, there is described one approach to the problem of threading a moving yam onto a core rotating at high speed, ac cording to which a pivotally mounted hook is projected across the yarn path by centrifugal force against the bias of a torsion spring, the mass of the .hook and the effective bias of the spring being so selected that the hook is activated at a desired speed of rotation. While this arrangement worked quite satisfactorily for average winding speeds, it is not ideally suited for association with stretched extrusion systems. In such systems, the filaments are in somewhat softened condition during the period of passage around the Godet rolls, and it has been found that unless the linear speed of the yarn and the peripheral speed of the core at the moment of attachment correspond to a very close degree, i.e., within a few percentage points, the results are not acceptable. If the core speed is higher, the yarn will be excessively stretched. If the core speed is lower, a slight hesitancy in the flow of the yarn will be produced which permits the yarn to stick to a Godet roll and wrap therearound. This precision of correspondence is not practical depending upon centrifugal force.

It is broadly known from US. Pat. No. 2,481,03l to Me- Dermott, issued Sept. 6, I949, to engage a running strand under a fixed pin rotating with the collection package spindle. In this patent, however. the threading operations are performed manually by an operator. While manual operation is practicable for low speed systems. the hazards of direct handling of continuous filamentary strands moving at high speeds preclude this approach for winding machines of the type in question.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS The basic object of the invention is a mechanical arrange ment for automatically threading a moving strand onto the rotating package core of a high speed strand winding machine without retarding the rate of movement of either strand or core and without bread breaking or undesirable stretching the strand.

A further object of the invention is a mechanism for delivering an advancing strand to a rotating spindle and core under precise control and in definite stages in order to insure as much as possible effective engagement of the strand upon the spindle combined with positive displacement of the strand onto the core.

Other features include means carried on the spindle at the locus of initial contact thereof with the moving strand to reduce the frictional effects of such contact upon the strand as well as a structural modification .in the end edge of the package core to facilitate the transition of the winding strand from the spindle periphery to the core periphery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspirator nozzle receiving an advancing strand of yarn, as from the Godet wheels of a continuous filament extrusion system is supported, in a detachable manner if desired, to facilitate initial delivery of the advancing strand to the nozzle to a threading position wrapping the strand around an arc of about 60 or so of the periphery of an exposed end of a takeup spindle. The nozzle is mounted on and movable by a rigid arm mounted upon a part of the frame of the winding machine for pivotal movement. Thus, the nozzle is movable from a loading position spaced above the takeup spindle to said threading position. A strand severing device may also be supported by the pivotal arm in a position suitable for cutting the strand at the proper time. The strand initially contacts the spindle at one extreme end which is preferably formed to reduce the frictional effects of such contact upon the flow of the strand, e.g., provided with flats to vibrate the strand.

During or subsequent to the movement of the arm and nozzle to threading position, the arm and nozzle are displaced axially of the spindle to align the nozzle end with a chordal notch in the spindle periphery intermediate the extreme end thereof and the core end edge, a downwardly directed hook being disposed in the notch. However, the strand is held against a corresponding movement away from the flatted spindle end by the edge of a detent plate projecting into the strand path adjacent the guide slot until the displacement of the nozzle is complete. At this time the detent plate is withdrawn laterally from the strand path at a controlled rate permitting the strand to shift laterally into engagement with the edge of a step on the detent plate. The step edge is in transverse alignment with the notch containing the hook and thus delivers the strand into the notch for engagement with the hook so that as the strand begins to wind upon the spindle, the strand is thereby displaced from its threading path into the cutter which serves the strand between the hook and aspirator. Further withdrawal of the detent plate frees the strand from the step for delivery upon the core which is slidable received upon the spindle. A notch is preferable provided in the end edge of the core to facilitate movement of the winding strand from the spindle periphery to the larger core periphery.

Up to this point, the spindle has been rotating at a fixed predetermined rate. Total withdrawal of the detent plate causes the control over the spindle drive to be released to a tension sensing arm which thereafter controls the package rotation in response to tension variations to maintain the tension uniform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG I is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view of a high speed winding machine equipped with the automatic threading mechanism of the invention;

FIGS. 2'6 are detailed perspective views illustrating the essential components of the invention in their relative positions step by step through the threading operation. such components being shown in somewhat idealized fashion and generally detached from the remainder of the machine with only enough supporting structure being shown as to convey the relationship of such parts to the remainder of the machine;

FIG. 7 is a detail view in front elevation of the aspirator mountingbracket,

FIG. 8 is a detail view in end elevation of the mounting bracket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a detail diagrammatic view of the pneumatic and electrical control circuit for positioning the strand detect plate; and

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 5. showing a modification of the invention for winding packages including an end bunch DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS As can be seen in FIG. I, the winding machine with which the present improvements are associated. includes a main housing 12 which contains the drive motor, transmission. and motor speed control, all not shown. During normal operation the speed control is responsive to variations in the tension in the strand as determined by a strand tension sensing arm 14 having at one end a guide 16 engaging the strand and affixed at the other end to a shaft 18 transmitting to the motor speed control the pivoted motion of arm 14 incidental to tension variations in the strand. Preferable, the guide 16 is of the type described and claimed in us. Pat. 3,393,880 issued Jul. 23. 1968 to Keith et al. The motor speed control includes a starting position for driving the spindle at a fixed predetermined rate, which is preferably adjustable between limits, until a control indication signals the completion of the threading phase and releases the control to the influence of the tension sensing arm. Speed controls of this type are known in the art, as for ex' ample in the aforementioned US Pat. 2,481,031. The predetermined starting position can be'determined mechanically, i.e., by mechanical engagement of the tension sensing arm in a fixed position, as shown in US. Pat. 2,48l,03l or, more preferably, through the electrical circuitry of the system.

Extending in generally cantilevered fashion from the upper portion of housing 12 is the spindle 20 which is adapted to support a package core 22, the core being placed on the spindle and removed therefrom via the unsupported spindle end. Rearwardly of and generally parallel to the periphery of spindle 20 is a strand traverse housing 24 which includes the strand traverse guide means (not visible) for delivering the strand to and from along the length of package core 22 to build a package thereon and an idler roll 26 frictionally coritacting the package periphery, only one end of which appears in FIG. 1.

On the front face of the traverse housing 24 is a strand feed slot 25 (better seen in FIG. 2) which maintains the strand under loose control while it is being traversed and delivered to the winding spindle. In other words, the feed slot 25 holds the strand adjacent the traverse mechanism so that it does not fly out of control. Entrance in slot 25 is had through its open outboard end, as at 27, and a latch finger (not visible) may be projected into the open end once the strand has entered the slot to prevent the strand from escaping during operation.

All of the elements described up to this point are eonven' tional, the winding machine per se being old in the art and forming no part of this invention except as the context in which the present novel improvements are employed. Consequently, further detailed description of the construction and operation of the winding machine is unnecessary. For an understanding of the details of particular features of each machine. reterence may be had inter alia. to applications Ser. No. 600,553. filed Dec. 9. I966 and Ser. No. l,232 filed Feb. 3, I969 Turning now to a description of the novel parts of the invention, referring to FIG. I. 7 and 8, disposed on the upper surface of the strand traverse housing is a mounting bracket, generally designated 30. for the support arm 32 holding a strand aspirator 34 The mounting bracket 30 includes a base plate 36. bolted or otherwise firmly attached to the housing top wall, from which upstand at least two spaced bearing blocks 38, 40.

Bearings 42, 44 are arranged in the blocks 38, 40 in which is journaled for both rotary and axial reciprocating movement a pivot shaft 46. An end wall 48 may be provided on the forward or outboard end of the bracket for purposes of protection or to support any desired control devices. In the space between the two bearing blocks 38, 40 shaft 46 is encircled by a hub or boss 50 formed integrally with the support arm 32 at one end thereof and which tightly fits around the shaft for unitary movement therewith.

The support arm 32 is adapted for pivotal movement to and from two positions: an inoperative or loading" position and an operative or threading position. To this end, as best appears in FIGS. 7 and 8, a follower roller 52 is arranged to pivot with the support aim, being rotatable fixed to the end of a pin 54 extending in a generally radial direction through the hub 50 and shaft 46. Two opposed stop blocks 56 and 58 cooperate with follower roller 52 to determine thelimits' of travel of the roller and hence of'the support arm.

Stop block 56 is firmly secured to the base plate 36 of the bracket generally beneath the hub 50 and serves to define the loading position. It is formed with a stepped'front face 60, the roller rolling upon the step face 60a until prevented by the end face 60b at which point the support arm is in its inoperative position The extent to which the vertical end face 60b is offset from a vertical plane passing through the axis of shaft 46 in relation to the diameter of the follower roller 52 will determinethe angular location of arm in its inoperative position and stop block 56 may be constructed for adjustment transversely of the base plate. i

For the threading position, stop block 58 is bolted to the rear edge of the base plate in generally transverse alignment with hub 59, projecting upwardly to endin an inclined leg 62, the inner face 64 of which engages the roller 52 and is therefore inclined at an angle selected to match the radial position of the roller periphery at the desired threading position. Stop block 56 is contoured at its end adjacent stop block 58' in such a way as to release the roller from contact therewith just before the roller makes contact with the stop face 64 of leg 62, as by the removal of its upper rear corner at 66. The purpose of such contouring is to' create sufficient clearance as at 68, between the adjacent surface of the stop block to accommodate the follower roller 52 therebetween for a purpose to be described shortly.

The support arm may be equipped with an overcenter spring means, not shown in detail, to bias the arm to one or the other of its two extreme positions.

At its free end, support arm 32 is adapted to carry means for receiving the running strand, which preferably takes the form of an aspirator nozzle 34, in a fixed position relative to the arm. Thus, a stud 70 projects outwardly of a boss 72, at the free end of the arm in parallel relation to the cylinder axis, carrying at its remote end a transversely extending socket plate 74. Plate 74 is formedwith an aperture 76 serving as a socket to receive and retain the aspirator nozzle in generally spaced parallel relation to the axes of stud 70 and of the winding spindle 20. Latching means, such as a spring-pressed ball detent, not shown, may be included on the socket plate for positive engagement with the nozzle, if desired. I

The construction of aspirator nozzle 34 is not a critical aspect of the invention and any design may be adopted proided only that it provides the strong degree of tension necessary to handle the advancing strand One embodiment found useful is that described in the copcnding application of Henry A. Vandersip. Ser No. 797.203 filed Feb 6, l969. Compressed air is supplied to the intake pipe 78 of the nozzle through a supply air hose 80 while the exhaust from,the noz zle. including the strand when present, is delivered away through a discharge hose 82. The hose 82 may empty into a screened receptacle to simplify collection and removal of the strand accumulated during the prethreading period.

In FIGS. 2-6, only the essential elements of the invention have been included in order that the operation of those elements might be explained with maximum clarity At the start of the threading sequence. support arm 32 is in its up" or loading'- position. remote from the spindle periphery. the aspirator nozzle 34 in its mounting plate 74 being supported by stud 70 generally above the outboard end of strand traverse housing 24. As the nozzle 34 is placed in its socket. the running strand. indicated at S, is directed into the strand feed slot 25 adjacent the forward face of the housing 24 through its open end 27 Preferably, the axis of nozzle 34 is in approximate longitudinal vertical alignment with the slot 25 with the nozzle end being in transverse vertical alignment with the exposed end of spindle 20.

When the system is operating smoothly and collection onto package core 22 is ready to begin, aspirator nozzle 34 is moved to its threading position by rocking support arm 32 in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 1. At this time spindle is being driven at the fixed predetermined rate established by the motor speed control starting position and in the direction of arrow on the spindle 20 in FIG. 1. Preferably, this rate is slightly in excess of the normal output rate of the Godet delivery rolls of the extrusion or other strand supply system. For example, if the normal rate is 40006000 Yds./min., the spindle speed should be preset to rotate the periphery of core 22 about 50l00 ftJmin. in excess of that rate. The threading position for nozzle 34 is shown in FIG. 3, from which it will appear that the nozzle is situated generally on the opposite side of the spindle centerline from traverse housing 24 a sufficient distance radially outwardly from the spindle axis as to be well clear of the spindle periphery. With noule 34 in this position. the moving strand S makes contact with an arc of about 60- 90 or so of the periphery of the exposed end of spindle 20.

In view of the fact that spindle 20 necessarily is of a smaller diameter than core 22, the linear speed of travel of the spindle periphery will necessarily be lower than the linear speed of travel of the core periphery despite the deliverate over-rotation" of the spindle. [t has been found that as a result of this speed differential, the spindle speed will tend to be lower than the speed of the strand so that as strand S is brought into contact with the periphery of spindle 20, the strand undergoes a slight loss of speed due to frictional contact with said spindle. This loss in speed is obviously quite small; nonetheless, it is often sufficient to upset the delicate balance in the delivery mechanism of the extrusion system. As strand S is in soft heated condition during drawing by the Godet rolls, it is extremely susceptible to sticking on the Godet rolls and even the slightest hesitation in its travel can cause this sticking, leading to the strand wrapping bodily around the Godet rolls, the removal of which requires the entire extrusion system to be shut down.

To avoid this difficulty, means are provided to avoid loss in speed of the strand as an incident to making contact with spindle 20. While the spindle could presumably be coated with antifriction material at the portion initially contacted by the strand, the preferred friction-reducing measure is the provision of an extension 90 on the free or outboard end of the spindle which is formed with flats 92 on its peripheral surface. The effect of the flats 92 is to impart vibration to the moving strand S and thereby reduces its friction with the spindle surface. The number of the flats may be varied as desired.

Positive control over the lateral displacement of strand S during threading is essential and in accordance with the invention. such control is accomplished by means of the strand detent plate 100. This plate at the starting of threading is interposed across the transverse path of strand S within the feed slot 25, being preferably mounted adjacent the lower wall of the traverse housing 24 so as to act upon the strand while under the general control of feed slot 25. Detent plate 100 is constructed with at least two control or detent edges constituted by leading end edge 102 and the edge 104 of at least one forwardly projecting step 106. The position of the plate along the housing is such that its leading edge 102 coincides laterally with the flatted extension 90 of spindle 20 and edge 102 thus positively maintains the strand in registration with the extension portion of spindle 20v A short distance inboard of flatted extension 90 but still on e the exposed end portion of the spindle is a generally V- shaped chordally extending notch 107 at the midpoint of which is disposed a downwardly opening hook of finger 108. Hook 108 projects over the transverse centerline of notch 107 so that strand S is guided by the notch wall beneath the hook and will thereby be caught bythe hook and caused to wind upon the spindle end.

The function of the second detent edge 104 on detent plate 100 is to deliver strand S into registration with the notch 107 -and hook 108. However, in order for strand 5 to possess a bias urging lateral movement upon it, it is first necessary to shift aspirator nozzle 34 from its initial operative position axially inwardly of the spindle.

As pointed out previously, when the follower roller 52 on nozzle support arm 32 makes contact with the face 64 of the stop block 58 in assuming its threading position, roller 52 is free of contact with the other stop block 56 and is therefore able to pass between the two blocks in the clearance space 68. Also shaft 46 is adapted to slide axially in its bearings 42, 44. Consequently, shaft 46 can be biased for bodily axial movement along with support arm 32 and nozzle 34, the biasing becoming effective as soon as the arm is swung to threading position. Since cushioned movement is desirable to avoid impact shock to the operative parts of the machine a pneumatic cylinder can be employed to apply the bias at a controlled rate until the shaft reaches its axial end position with the nozzle end displaced at least as far as the notch 107. The cylinder is, of course, tensioned when the arm 32 is returned to its initial position, said arm 32 being freed for pivotal movement only after shaft 46 has been displaced axially to bring roller 52 clear of step face 60 on stop block 56.

The inward axial movement of nozzle 34 does not bring about a corresponding movement of the strand until the strand is released from engagement with the leading edge 102 of detent plate 100, such release being effected by withdrawing plate 100 from the strand path to the extent necessary to permit the strand to pass on to the stop 106. This withdrawal should not occur until nozzle 34 is in its axially displaced position and the arrival of the shaft 46 at the limit of its axial travel may advantageously be used to signal the withdrawal of plate 100 by closing a switch or valve to actuate a solenoid or air cylinder acting to position the detent plate.

It is not necessary that the strand remain in engagement with the step detent edge 104 of plate 100 for more than a few seconds as the movement of the strand into the notch 107 and under hook 108 occurs almost instantaneously with the release of the strand from leading edge 102. Consequently, while plate 100 can be withdrawn in two distinct stages with a finite pause or dwell therebetween, it is equally satisfactory for the plate to be withdrawn in one motion but at a gradual or controlled rate, the length of the step edge 104 giving the effect upon strand movement of a dwell despite the continued movement of the plate. in this way, a less elaborate control mechanism is needed for plate 100, a single signal sufficing for the entire sequence.

As plate 100 is removed entirely from the strand path, strand S by virtue of the lead angle imposed by tension sensing guide 16, migrates axially onto the periphery of package core 22 to begin winding into a package. The shoulder constituted by the annular thickness ofthe core tends to dLl as a deterrent to the transfer of strand onto the core periphery However. this difficulty is greatly lessened by cutting a notch 110 into the end of the core. The best configuration for notch I10 is for its downstream wall to extend perpendicularly of the end face of the core with its upstream wall inclined to the core face and intersecting with the downstream wall a short distance. say about z-inch. inside the core In this way. the shifting strand S encounters a substantially perpendicular edge in transferring to the core and will be more likely to catch on and ride over that edge than over the end shoulder of the core 22 in view of the relatively small inclination of its lead angle relative to the plane of the shoulder which tends to cause the strand to be sloughed off onto the exposed cylinder periphery.

Once strand S has been engaged by the hook I08, it is necessary that the strand be removed from the attraction of the aspirator nozzle 34. To this end, means are included for severing the strand as it begins to wind upon the spindle periphery. Such means can take a variety of forms and one particular form that has been found suitable is illustrated in the drawing and is described in detail and claimed in US. application Ser. No. 725,385, filed on Apr. 30, I968 by Richter et al. This form consists generally of a more or less V-shaped arrangement of cutter blades, designated I14 which is adapted to sever a strand drawn thereagainst. This cutting device is supported in a position adjacent the spindle periphery below and generally between the nozzle opening and the point of tangency with the spindle periphery of a line drawn through the nozzle opening. Specifically. the location of the cutter must be such that as the strand caught by hook 108 begins to wrap around the spindle periphery, say, after a total of about 120 of wrap around, it is drawn into the V of the blades under sufficient tension to be cut thereby.

In FIGS. 26, only an indication of a support for cutter 114 has been shown, the precise manner of support being of little consequence to the invention. Thus. cutter 114 can be mounted on a fixed support of its own if desired, extending from any convenient part of the machine. Preferably. however, cutter 114 is integrated into structure of the invention as appears in FIG. I. In this case, the cutter can be carried on a link I16 pivoted on the boss 72 at the end of support arm 32. The operative position for the cutter may be found to interfere with the path of the strand to the aspirator nozzle when in in operative or loading position. In this event, the cutter can be manually pivoted to an out of the way position during loading and then swung back to operative position when the nozzle is moved to threading position. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 1, a stabilizing rod 1 I8 can be connected at its ends to the link I16 and to a fixed part of the mounting bracket, for instance, the inboard bearing block, the pivot axes of rod 118 being so arranged that movement of support arm 32 to loading position automatically swings the cutter 114 counterclockwise out of the path of strand S running in loading position to the nozzle opening and, conversely, movement of the support arm to threading position locates the cutter in effective working position.

As suggested previously, the mechanism of the invention is readily susceptible to manual positioning of support arm 32 between its loading and threading positions. Aspirator nozzle 34 is ordinarily manipulated by hand during loading in any event and the operator is hence already conveniently nearby to perform this basic maneuver after which the mechanism performs the remainder of the necessary operations automatically. On the other hand, power actuation of support arm 32 is easily possible and one form of power actuation has been included in the design of mounting bracket illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In this form, a tubular extension 120 is provided for the shaft 46 with a limited telescoping connection therebetween, as at 122. The telescoping section of extension 120 is formed with a curved slot 124 which is engaged by a pin I26 rigidly projecting radially from the telescoping section of shaft 46, the curvature of slot 124 being such that axial movement of the extension imparts the desired arc of pivotal movement to the pin 126 and thence to shaft 46 and support arm 32. The extension is held against rotation by a slideway 128 and is connected at its inboard end to the piston of a compressed air power cylinder I30 clamped to the inboard end of base plate 36v Compressed air is supplied to the cylinder I30 under the control of a pushbutton valve I32 which can be mounted in an accessible position on end wall 48 Admission of the air drives the piston to the right in FIG. 7. lowering the support arm to its threading position. The piston is spring-loaded to return to the left when the air flow is halted, the movement being at a gradual rate determined bya conventional adjustable vent in the cylinder wall. Obviously, the functions just described can also be accomplished manually.

To give a signal of the arrival of the shaft 46 at its axially displaced position. a pushbutton switch 134 can be disposed on a fixed standard at the piston end of the power cylinder 130, the switch being contacted by a probe 136 moving with the shaft extension. It is desirable for the probe to be threaded for axial adjustment to permit precise timing of the closure of' switch 134.

The control circuit for positioning detent plate is quite simple and is illustrated somewhat schematically in FIG. 9. Plate 100 is supported for sliding movement in the spaced guideways 140 secured, for example, to the underside of the traverse housing 24. A drive rod 142 extends rearwardly of the plate through the bore of a solenoid 144, the core 146 of the solenoid encircling the rod for movement therewith, connecting at its remote end with the piston of an air or hydraulic cylinder 148 clamped tothe housing underside. Solenoid 144 is controlled by switch 134 and as the switch is closed by the arrival of the shaft 46 to its limit position, solenoid 144 is actuated to move plate 100 rearwardly out of the path of strand S, the rate of withdrawal being determined by the cylinder 148. The air cylinder piston is braced to move to the right when released and return of the shaft 46 and support arm 32 to loading position results likewise in the return of plate 100 to its effective detent position..0ther control instrumentalities could, of course, be substituted and the functions of the solenoid and air cylinder could be combined in a single air cylinder controlled by a valve at 134.

Arranged near the plate 100 is a switch 147 having a contact arm, I49 extending toward the rear of the plate. The end of arm 149 is situated so as to be depressed by the plate when the latter reaches its fully withdrawn, i.e., inoperative,'position indicated in solid lines in FIG. 9. Switch I47 is connected to the motor speed control circuit and is operative when actuated to disengage the fixed speed starting portion of that circuit and institute randomly variable speed control in response to tension variations in the strand. By providing a positive control signal effecting the shift in the motor speed control, greater certainty exists that the threading operation has been completed and the strand is winding on the package when the normal phase of the winding operation is begun. Moreover, although the rate of withdrawal of the detent plate is preferably variable via the air cylinder, the use of a switch or other control device actuated by the limited position of the detent plate automatically compensates from changes in that rate.

Occasionally, a package will be desired having a transfer tail, i.e., a small group of strand coils on the core in an axially separated position from the main package for use in uniting with the strand on a subsequent package or for automatic engagement with the free strand end. Such a package can be easily produced by the invention through a single modification of the detent plate as shown in FIG. 10. The modified plate 150 is formed 'with twosteps I52 and 154 to give atotal of three detent edges I56, 158, instead of two as in the main embodiment. Edges 156 and 158 correspond to edges I02 and 104 in plate 100 and have the same function. Edge 160 on the additional step 154 is spaced axially of the bedding edge 156 a sufficient distance to coincide with the end portion of the core 22 inside of notch 110. After the strand has slipped past edge I58 and migrates onto the core. it is held by edge 160 at a locus spaced axially outwardly of the normal limits of travel of the strand traverse guide and is caused to wind into coils at that locus as at 162. The number of coils in the bunch 162 is determined by the length of time the strand is held by the edge 160 which is, of course. a function of the rate of continued withdrawal of the plate.

The operation of the threading mechanism of the invention has been described in the course of the aforegoing explanation and further discussion of its operation would be redundant. It will suffice to point out, in conclusion, that when the normal variable speed control is activated. the load of the tension in the strand is introduced as a factor influencing the motor speed, resulting in a slight reduction in speed to eliminate the slight overfeed" built into the preset starting circuit position. Thereafter, the machine winds in accordance with the output of the strand delivery system, adjusting the spindle to compensate for fluctuations in the tension of the strand.

In the course of the aforegoing description, reference has been made to several variations and modifications and it will be appreciated that others could be made within the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. in a high speed winding machine including a rotating spindle for winding a strand into a package, and yarn engaging means arranged adjacent one end of said spindle for rotation therewith, said yarn engaging means being adapted to engage a strand delivered thereto to initiate winding of the strand upon the spindle, an improved mechanism for delivering the strand comprising means for retaining an end of said strand, support means for said retaining means mounted for movement between an inoperative position maintaining the retaining means remote from said spindle to an operative position maintaining said retaining means adjacent said spindle with the strands in contact with the spindle periphery, means operative when said support means is in said operative position to impart limited axial movement thereto to register said retaining means with said yarn engaging means, strand detent means having an operative position to restrain the strands from moving with said retaining means and an inoperative position releasing the strand for such movement, control means for said detent means responsive to the completion by said retaining means of said limited axial movement to move said detent means to its inoperative position whereby said strand is displaced axially of the spindle into engagement with said yarn engaging means, and strand releasing means operative when the strand begins to wind upon the spindle to release the strand from said retaining meansv 2. The improvements of claim 1 wherein said strand is continuously advancing and said retaining means is adapted to collect the advancing strand.

3. The improvements of claim 2 wherein said retaining means is an aspirator nozzle.

4. The improvements of claim 1 wherein said detent means has two axially speed detent surfaces thereon arranged for engagement with the strand in succession, said first surface coinciding generally with the initial axial position of the retaining means and the second with the axial locus of the strand engaging hook, whereby said strand is positively directed to the vicinity of the hook.

5 The improvements of claim l wherein said detent means includes a third detent surface spaced from the said two surfaces axially inwardly of the spindle and engaging the strand after release from the previous two surfaces. said third detent .surface having a locus axially intermediate the hook and the adjacent limit of the package and being effective to produce a preliminary bunch of winding coils on said spindle.

6. The improvements of claim 1 including a core adapted to slideably fit on said spindle to receive said package. said core leaving exposed the end portion of said spindle carrying said hook.

7 The improvements of claim 6 wherein core is formed with an axially directed shoulder in the annular end face thereof to facilitate passage of the strand from the spindle periphery to the core periphery.

8. The improvements of claim 4 wherein said first surface is provided with means for vibrating the strand thereon to thereby reduce yarn friction therewith.

9. The improvements of claim 3 wherein said support means includes a socket for detachably holding said aspirator nozzle.

10. The improvements of claim 3 wherein said strand releasing means is a strand cutter assembly, said assembly being mounted on said support means for movement integrally with said aspirator.

11. The improvements of claim 10 wherein support means includes a positioning rod for displacing said cutter assembly away from said nozzle when said support means are in inoperative position.

12. In a high speed winding machine for continuous filamentary strands including a rotating spindle for receiving a package core thereon with a section of thespindle periphery adjacent one core end exposed, drive means for rotating said spindle, a strand tension sensing means in advance of said spindle, and a speed control for said drive means responsive to said strand tension sensing means, the improvement of a mechanism for automatically attaching a running strand to said spindle comprising a fixed hook on the exposed section of the package periphery, said hook being adapted to engage a strand delivery into contact therewith, a strarid aspirator for receiving the running strand from said tension sensing means prior to attachment to the package, support means for said aspirator movable from a preliminary position to a threading position delivering the strand along a path extending generally transverse to the spindle axis and contacting an arc of the exposed spindleperiphery at a locus spaced axially from said fixed hook, means for moving said aspirator axially past the end of the package core, strand detent means on the strand path adjacent to and upstream from said spindle periphery, said detent means having afirst detent position in transverse registration with the first position of said aspirator and a second detent position in transverse registration with the location of said hook, and means synchronized with the axial movement of said aspirator to move said detent means from said first to said second position to positively deliver said strand into engagement with said hook and thereafter release the strand from the detent means to permit the engaged strand to'begin winding upon said core, and means operative when the strand is tensioned by said hook to release the strand from the aspirator. 

1. In a high speed winding machine including a rotating spindle for winding a strand into a package, and yarn engaging means arranged adjacent one end of said spindle for rotation therewith, said yarn engaging means being adapted to engage a strand delivered thereto to initiate winding of the strand upon the spindle, an improved mechanism for delivering the strand comprising means for retaining an end of said strand, support means for said retaining means mounted for movement between an inoperative position maintaining the retaining means remote from said spindle to an operative position maintaining said retaining means adjacent said spindle with the strands in contact with the spindle periphery, means operative when said support means is in said operative position to impart limited axial movement thereto to register said retaining means with said yarn engaging means, strand detent means having an operative position to restrain the strands from moving with said retaining means and an inoperative position releasing the strand for such movement, control means for said detent means responsive to the completion by said retaining means of said limited axial movement to move said detent means to its inoperative position whereby said strand is displaced axially of the spindle into engagement with said yarn engaging means, and strand releasing means operative when the strand begins to wind upon the spindle to release the strand from said retaining means.
 2. The improvements of claim 1 wherein said strand is continuously advancing and said retaining means is adapted to collect the advancing strand.
 3. The improvements of claim 2 wherein said retaining means is an aspirator nozzle.
 4. The improvements of claim 1 wherein said detent means has two axially speed detent surfaces thereon arranged for engagement with the strand in succession, said first surface coinciding generally with the initial axial position of the retaining means and the second with the axial locus of the strand engaging hook, whereby said strand is positively directed to the vicinity of the hook.
 5. The improvements of claim 1 wherein said detent means includes a third detent surface spaced from the said two surfaces axially inwardly of the spindle and engaging the strand after release from the previous two surfaces, said third detent surface having a locus axially intermediate the hook and the adjacent limit of the package and being effective to produce a preliminary bunch of winding coils on said spindle.
 6. The improvements of claim 1 including a core adapted to slideably fit on said spindle to receive said package, said core leaving exposed the end portion of said spindle carrying said hook.
 7. The improvements of claim 6 wherein core is formed with an axially directed shoulder in the annular end face thereof to facilitate passage of the strand from the spindle periphery to the core periphery.
 8. The improvements of claim 4 wherein said first surface is provided with means for vibrating the strand thereon to thereby reduce yarn friction therewith.
 9. The improvements of claim 3 wherein said support means includes a socket for detachably holding said aspirator nozzle.
 10. The improvements of claim 3 wherein said strand releasing means is a strand cutter assembly, said assembly being mounted on said support means for movement integrally with said aspirator.
 11. The improvements of claim 10 wherein support means includes a positioning rod for displacing said cutter assembly away from said nozzle when said support means are in inoperative position.
 12. In a high speed winDing machine for continuous filamentary strands including a rotating spindle for receiving a package core thereon with a section of the spindle periphery adjacent one core end exposed, drive means for rotating said spindle, a strand tension sensing means in advance of said spindle, and a speed control for said drive means responsive to said strand tension sensing means, the improvement of a mechanism for automatically attaching a running strand to said spindle comprising a fixed hook on the exposed section of the package periphery, said hook being adapted to engage a strand delivery into contact therewith, a strand aspirator for receiving the running strand from said tension sensing means prior to attachment to the package, support means for said aspirator movable from a preliminary position to a threading position delivering the strand along a path extending generally transverse to the spindle axis and contacting an arc of the exposed spindle periphery at a locus spaced axially from said fixed hook, means for moving said aspirator axially past the end of the package core, strand detent means on the strand path adjacent to and upstream from said spindle periphery, said detent means having a first detent position in transverse registration with the first position of said aspirator and a second detent position in transverse registration with the location of said hook, and means synchronized with the axial movement of said aspirator to move said detent means from said first to said second position to positively deliver said strand into engagement with said hook and thereafter release the strand from the detent means to permit the engaged strand to begin winding upon said core, and means operative when the strand is tensioned by said hook to release the strand from the aspirator. 